Thieves forced to abandon tractor stolen near Telford
Thieves made off with a tractor near Telford before abandoning it when they realised they were unable to manoeuvre it.
Published
The tractor, which is only used on private land in Caynton, near Edgmond, has never been used on public roads before.
It was taken from the property last night and was found blocking a lane towards Ercall Heath by a passer-by who alerted the owner at around11pm.
It is thought the thieves abandoned the vehicle after they found themselves unable to drive it down the small lane.
Constable Lee Thomas from the Newport Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Rural crime is a bigger issue than many who live in rural areas sometimes realise.
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"Because people in villages and hamlets are away from larger towns where most problems occur, they feel, quite rightly, more safe and secure, but criminals also know this and sometimes take advantage of residents complacency when it comes to personal security matters.
"Although clearly not a contributing factor in this incident, we would always ask people living in our more rural areas to make sure doors and windows of homes and cars are not left open, and farms, outbuildings, machinery and equipment are locked and secured where possible."
West Mercia Police recently launched an initiative tackling business and rural crime at an event held at Harper Adams University in Edgmond.
At the event, West Mercia Chief Constable David Shaw and Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore outlined their strategy and future plans to deal with these types of issues.
